Wifely 'logic'

As long as you enjoy it D, that's all that matters.  (Although to me a car is merely a necessary evil, whereas hi-fi is something quite extraordinary.)

May I suggest you invest in several Oscars statues; you can present them to SWMBO for best dramatic performance from time to time, as it appears she brings a fair bit of drama to your household!

Good luck with the new car and your SC audition!

"Yes" = No

"No" = Yes

"Maybe" = No

"I'm sorry" = You'll be sorry

"We need" = I want

"It's your decision" = The correct decision should be obvious by now

"Do what you want" = You'll pay for this later

"We need to talk" = I need to complain

"Sure go ahead" = I don't want you to

"I'm not upset" = Of course I'm upset, you moron!

"You're so manly" = You need a shave and you sweat a lot

"Be romantic, turn out the lights" = I have flabby thighs

"This kitchen is so inconvenient" = I want a new house

"I want new curtains" = and carpeting, and furniture, and wallpaper

"I heard a noise" = I noticed you were almost asleep

"Do you love me?" = I'm going to ask for something expensive

"How much do you love me?" = I did something today you're going to hate

"I'll be ready in a minute" = Just going to wash my hair

"You have to learn to communicate" = Just agree with me

"Are you listening to me!?" = Too late, you're dead

IT IS SATURDAY, a crisp spring afternoon, and you're exactly where you should be: stretched out on the couch in front of a televised sporting event, opening beer number two, relaxed in the knowledge that the pizza you ordered is even now on its way. Nothing could improve this moment, except maybe a bigger television.

Suddenly your wife/girlfriend enters the room and says, "What exactly do you think you're doing?"

Is this a trick question? Yes, it is. The trick is that no matter how you answer it, you will immediately find yourself driving down to your nearest home-improvement centre, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon trying to decide the type of curtain rod that's right for you.

How does this work?

It has as much to do with the nature of the question itself as with anything else. Women are expert at posing questions that seem to have no right answer. Here's a common example.

"DO I LOOK FAT?"

There is no answer to this question that won't be interpreted "yes". "No" means yes. "Yes" means yes. "I don't know" means yes. "It doesn't matter" means yes. The briefest hint of a pause before speaking means yes, yes, yes. Most of us would rather take our degrees again than field this one, yet it may well come up several times a week. Your only real choice is to say no, clearly and immediately, leaving no possibility for any subtext, and making it sound like a widely acknowledged fact and not simply your opinion. This doesn't work, but all the other options are worse.

There are several other questions for which "no" is the only answer, and several more that call for an emphatic and unqualified yes. In all of these cases, elaboration, justification or any attempt to be funny is unlikely to pay off.

Consult this handy chart:

JUST SAY NO 
Is there someone else? 
Do you still fantasise about her? 
Are you tired of me?

JUST SAY YES 
Do you still love me? 
Do you ever fantasise about me? 
Do you like my hair this way?

Unfortunately, many female inquiries require more than a simple yes or no response. Some of them are more like riddles. Such as this one:

"WHICH SHOES LOOK BETTER?"

Typically you're already late for dinner when your wife/girlfriend confronts you, with one pair of shoes on and another alongside them. This is no ordinary choice. It's a devious chicken/egg puzzler, the sort of choice that would lead even Hobson to say to Mrs. Hobson, "Whichever, you old trout!" If you pick the shoes she already has on, she'll think you're trying to hurry her. If you pick the other pair, she'll think it's because you know you can't pick the ones she has on. Some men try a non-linear approach and opt for a third, unoffered pair of shoes, but this is inevitably taken as either an attack on her judgement or an opportunity for her to attack yours. On no account suggest another dress. You might as well say, "You're fat."

This raises the question of why she's asking you at all. She knows you don't know which shoes look better, and she knows you don't care, so why is she trying to elicit your opinion? This is part of an ongoing campaign to domesticate you. As part of the same campaign, she will occasionally consult you about alternative table settings or new towels. In these two cases a disdainful and dismissive "beats me" should do the trick, but don't try that with the shoe dilemma, or you'll miss your reservation. Instead, suggest that she try on the other shoes, then tell her the first ones look better. This lets you more or less off the hook, as long as you don't raise a fuss when she decides that the second pair are better after all.

"WHERE DO YOU SEE THIS RELATIONSHIP GOING?"

This could be described as an essay question, since you're obviously not going to get away with snappy little answers such as "forward" or "upstairs" or "I dunno". Another problem is that you and your wife/girlfriend are operating at cross-purposes here. She wants a heartfelt expression of your feelings and an honest assessment of your future together, and you want an easier question. There is certainly no point in answering a toe-curling query like this one without at least a rough idea of precisely what it is she wants to hear. Questions such as this one are a category unto themselves, i.e. questions that should be answered with another question. See how easily some of the more difficult leading inquiries can be parried through the simple deployment of reflexive interrogation.

HER: Where do you see this relationship going?
YOU: Where do you see this relationship going?

HER: Do you think she's attractive? 
YOU: Who?

HER: Will you marry me? 
YOU: Where am I?

HER: What if I were pregnant?
YOU: Are you pregnant? 
HER: Why? Do I look fat?

Whoops! We're in a bit of trouble here. You should have seen that coming. Try a more surreal approach:

HER: What if I were pregnant? 
YOU: What if I were pregnant?

At the very least it gives you time to think up a better answer. Some all-purpose question-answers include: How much is a lot? Why do you ask? Should I be? What are you saying? Does it matter? What's love gotta do with it? Are you talking to me? (Note: Are you having your period? is not one of these.)

Let's move on. "WHY DON'T YOU LIGHTEN UP?"

This rhetorical gem is used whenever you express your disapproval of shoplifting or speeding, or whenever you go to a nightclub and spend the whole time complaining because the music is too loud and there aren't any chairs. There's no good answer to this one. You could draw attention to her inconsistency in this matter, noting that she doesn't like it when you act like a kid or when you act like your dad; then again, if you do that, she's liable to see your point and break up with you.

Speaking of breaking up, how about this one..... "ARE YOU SAYING YOU WANT TO END IT?"

Women, like lawyers, rarely ask a direct question, unless they already know what the answer will be. As for women lawyers, I don't know what they do, and I'm pretty sure I don't want to know. The point is, when a woman asks you this question, she knows you're going to say no. Even if you want to say yes, you'll say no. You can't turn the question back on her, because you have no idea what her answer is going to be. If you are trying to break up with her, you'll have to say no and start the whole painful process again. If you aren't trying to break up with her, then it's best to change the subject. Let's try some-thing easier.

"NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT ME?"

Well, slightly easier. This question is of a piece with two others: "Have you forgotten what today is?" and "Have you been listening to a word I've said?" Apart from being questions that are easier to answer wrong than right, they're the kinds of things women say in sitcoms. They are best treated in an ironic post-modern context; ie, just say what Ward Cleaver would say.

HER: Notice anything different about me? 
YOU: New apron?

HER: Have you forgotten what today is? 
YOU: Of course not. It's Thursday.

HER: Have you been listening to a word I've said? 
YOU: That's nice, dear...

Funny, huh? Well, it's not your fault if she doesn't get it. If she wants a better answer, she's going to have to start asking better questions. Questions such as:

"HAVE YOU TAKEN A LOOK AT YOURSELF LATELY?"

This question and its cousin, the almost always uncalled for "Who do you think you are?", are ways of gently reminding you how much of a factor pity was in her original decision to go out with you, and how that decision could be rescinded if you behave in any way that cannot be described as abject. You probably brought this rebuke on yourself by mentioning that you reckon Brad Pitt is getting a little chubby or by speculating that Jack Nicholson doesn't have to wait until his birthday for fun. You're not really supposed to answer either of these questions. You're just supposed to apologise for your wanton self-esteem-having. Instead of apologising, just smile. Your manifold inadequacies as a boyfriend - nay, as a man - are a kind of revenge all by themselves. Next!

"DO YOU BELIEVE IN FIDELITY?"

Like most philosophical questions that seem to pop up out of the blue, this question doesn't pop up out of the blue. This general query about fidelity is in fact a coded inquiry about the extent of your fidelity on a specific occasion or occasions. Your response will also have to be coded. Consult this translation chart before giving your answer:

YOU SAY - Yes 
YOU MEAN - How much does she know? 
SHE THINKS - He's hiding something

YOU SAY - It depends 
YOU MEAN - How much does she know? 
SHE THINKS - I knew it!

YOU SAY - Why do you ask 
YOU MEAN - How much does she know? 
SHE THINKS - Bastard!

YOU SAY - I dunno. Do you? 
YOU MEAN - How much does she know? 
SHE THINKS - How much does he know?

There are several more variations, but they're not worth going into. By the time she asks you this question, you're already in deep trouble. It doesn't really matter what you say, as long as you don't blush when you a answer.

Let's look at an example that calls for more straight forward lying.

"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?"

She means, "You were looking at that girl, weren't you?" And you thought you'd perfected that trick of keeping your neck still and just letting your eyes swivel. Obviously, the truth is not the best answer here. We all know that the truth can set you free, sometimes before you've found somewhere else to stay. It may seem easy enough to answer this question with a cunning lie, but when men are caught off-guard, their ability to deceive is impaired.

Here are a few of the more common mistakes men make when asked "What are you looking at?"

TOO SPECIFIC: "The rust around the bolts on the handle on the flap of that mailbox on the northwest corner". NOT SPECIFIC ENOUGH: "That thing." 
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE: "A diamond necklace in that window back there that would be perfect on you". 
TOO TRUE TO BE GOOD: "A see-through nightie in that window back there that would be perfect on you." 
TOO OBVIOUS: "Nothing." 
WAY TOO OBVIOUS: "That blonde babe over there with the big...I mean nothing."

Here's one that requires a little interpretation. "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?"

This one often crops up whenever some kind of emergency or seemingly unsolvable problem arises. The part that requires interpretation is the mysterious "we" in the middle. This means two things: in one sense, "we" clearly means "you" - as in, "What are you going to do now"; but there is also a sense of "we're in this together" implying that you bear equal responsibility for the fact that she's just dropped her keys down a grate, or that she stores her jack and spare tyre in her garage so they won't get stolen.

In such situations you'll probably find that the only answer to "What are we going to do now?" that you can think of is "We are going to break up. Good-bye." Most likely you'll decide not to say anything. After which she will probably let loose with the rather ill-advised:

"WHY DON'T YOU SAY SOMETHING?"

Whether you answer this one is up to you. There is only one question that you should never, ever answer. Keep silent, cower behind your Fifth Amendment rights, pretend you didn't hear, run away, whatever, but don't say anything when she asks:

"SHOULD I GET ALL OF MY HAIR CUT OFF?"

If you say anything, then when she does get all her hair cut off (and let's face it, she's already made up her mind) and she hates it (and she will hate it), it will be your fault. Even if you say absolutely nothing, the best you can hope for is that she will come home with all her hair cut off, stare you straight in the eye and say: Does it make me look fat? You're on your own.

Source for the quotes above :

http://www.begent.org/women.htm

Along a similar line as Jan's post, this was originally posted on a online dating site (written by a woman), and then lampooned by a guy (his in bold type) and posted somewhere, which is where I came across it.  It rang too true not to keep, and I share it here:

What Women Really Want

What turns women on? Ask anyone, and you'll get a different answer. Rock hard abs? Flowers for no reason? Confidence and compliments? Turning a woman on is complicated, like mixing the perfect martini. Fear not, though. Here are the 10 basic ingredients:

1. Intelligence. "I don't need a genius," says Janelle, 25, "but I want him to be up on current events and able to articulate his views." Caution: Don't let facts outweigh feelings. They both count in a woman's world.

Translation Tip 1: Intelligent=Mind Reader; Genius=IQ above 85; Woman’s world=The Planet Earth; Current events=Who made the final cut on American Idol. The phrase “Don’t let facts outweigh feelings,” presents some interpretive difficulty. In most contexts it means something like, “Don’t confuse me with the evidence.” Some alternate translations have been suggested: “Facts are subject to interpretation depending on the time of the month;” “How I feel is more important than what you think;” or “The truth has no meaning when I am in tears.”

2. Sense of humor. "A guy who makes me laugh — whether he's hilariously funny or deliciously wry — is a total turn-on," notes Maresa, 42. Don't fret if you're not a natural comedian. The ability to laugh at yourself, act like a goof or communicate your slightly skewed views on life goes a long way.

Did you hear the one about the blonde cocktail waitress with the big cans…?

3. Passion. "A guy who lives his life with gusto is incredibly appealing," says Bette, 33. "Engaging that passion when it comes to me and our relationship is almost irresistible."

Translation Tip 2: “Gusto,” has nothing to do with sports and beer. Consequently, engaging your true passion when it comes to her and your relationship would almost certainly be the kiss of death. If you want to be irresistible to women, you might want to consider one or more of the following Female Mucho Gusto activities: Shopping for expensive jewelry, driving fast sports cars, sailing your 30 ft yacht, extended vacations (for 2) to Tuscany or the French Riviera, etc. Sports ONLY make the Mucho Gusto List if you are a highly paid professional athlete. Gusto never means passionate: playing guitar, stamp collecting, deer hunting, bowling, fishing, reading, or anything else you might really enjoy.

4. Consideration. "A thoughtful man is a beautiful thing," says Catie, 29. "Caring about what I think and how I feel is very charming." Bonus tip: Basic manners are an early indicator. Open the door for her, ask about her day, etc.

In part 2 of the interview, Catie continued, “Yeah, men who are like, really concerned about my thoughts and feelings are the most interesting to me. It’s just amazing! It’s like, I could just talk to them for hours and hours and never get bored. There’s none of that ‘well I think this’ or ‘I want that,’ crap. That kind of selfishness really turns me off.” Bonus tip: Better check her politics before you reach for that door handle.

5. Honesty. "When a man opens up to me — especially about something personal — it shows he respects me," relates Leslie, 38. "And there's a sweet vulnerability about it that's really endearing." Caution: Don't overdo it. She doesn't need to know how many women you've dated before her.

Don’t try honesty until you are really confident with some of the simpler techniques. It can be tricky and even dangerous for the novice. As you will notice above, telling personal secrets with a “sweet vulnerability” is “endearing,” and constitutes honesty in the female mind. Truthful statements like: “That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard;” “Your ass looks huge in those jeans;” or “I think your friend Pam is a hottie;” should be avoided. Caution: Real honesty is almost always discouraged - it's a trap!

6. Flexibility. "I like a guy who's confident and daring enough to be spontaneous, but I also appreciate when he's got a plan and follows through with it," says Britt, 40. "That sounds contradictory, but if he knows how to do both, he'll reap serious rewards."

Women are just asking for a man with a sense of how to be spontaneously regimented. This might explain why Britt is still single at 40. Translation Tip 3: serious rewards=the privilege of being nagged by Britt for the rest of your miserable life until you fall on your face and beg God for the sweet relief of death.

7. Serenity. "There's something alluring about a man with a positive outlook on life," says Becca, 36. "Give me a guy who doesn't let the little things get to him."

Little things like a 36 year old woman who insists on being called “Becca?”

8. Balance. All work and no play make Johnny a lonely boy. "It's a total turnoff to date someone who's unable to balance work and hobbies with a relationship," notes Kenna, 43. "Ambition and drive are great in the right measure, but if he continually puts work or the gym ahead of me, it's over."

Don’t be confused by the language here. Balance isn’t always what it seems. If your idea of “ambition and drive,” is making manager at Taco Bell and you think YMCA when you hear the word “gym,” your time management skills are of second importance. It was over before it began.

9. Ambition. "I'm attracted to men who know what they want and go after it," explains Treichelle, 23, "but they also have to be willing to be led."

Translations Tip 4: “men who know what they want and go after it”=Men with copious amounts of disposable income; “be willing to be led”=Men who will allow a woman to dispose of their income with stupid, frivolous extravagance.

10. Attentiveness. "A fella who goes out of his way to make me feel special is hard to pass up," says Jackie, 32. "I'm not looking for grand gestures. Bring me a shell from the beach. Call me when I'm sick. Those little things count a lot."

Go to Maui for 2 weeks with your friends and only bring her a “shell from the beach,” and you will see a familiar “grand gesture,” hurled in your direction. Don’t visit with flowers and chocolates when she spends a couple of days in the hospital. Just make that five minute phone call and you will find our how much “those little things” really count...yeah, right.

If your sex appeal has lost its fizzle, blend any of the above for a captivating cocktail she can't resist.

Translation: Focus all your efforts on making her happy without seeming too anxious to make her happy, and forget about anything that you really might want. Have a job with unlimited income potential that takes up none of your time. Always be ready to drop everything for her. Appear honest while lying your ass off. Be smart, funny, serene, attentive and passionate about all the right things and you just MIGHT have a chance. After all, this is all a woman ask...